And then it acted startled, like a guilty person caught by the
law. I’ve heard that the rooster awakens the god of day
with its trumpetlike crowing, and makes all wandering ghosts,
wherever they are, hurry back to their hiding places.
We’ve just seen proof of that.

MARCELLUS

It faded on the crowing of the cock.

Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes

Wherein our Saviour’s birth is celebrated,

The bird of dawning singeth all night long.

160And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad.

The nights are wholesome. Then no planets strike,

No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm,

So hallowed and so gracious is that time.

MARCELLUS

Yes, it faded away when the rooster crowed. Some people say that
just before Christmas the rooster crows all night long, so that no
ghost dares go wandering, and the night is safe. The planets have no
sway over us, fairies' spells don’t work, and
witches can’t bewitch us. That’s how holy that
night is.

HORATIO

So have I heard and do in part believe it.

165But look, the morn, in russet mantle clad,

Walks o'er the dew of yon high eastward hill.

Break we our watch up, and by my advice,

Let us impart what we have seen tonight

Unto young Hamlet, for, upon my life,

170This spirit, dumb to us, will speak to him.

Do you consent we shall acquaint him with it,

As needful in our loves, fitting our duty?

HORATIO

Yes, I’ve heard the same thing and sort of believe it.
But look, morning is breaking beyond that hill in the east, turning
the sky red. Let’s interrupt our watch and go tell young
Hamlet what we’ve seen tonight. I’m sure this
ghost that’s so silent with us will speak to him.
Don’t you agree that we owe it to him to tell him about
this, out of duty and love?